A Brief History of MCTI

Marvelous College of Technology Incorporated (MCTI) was first registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 8, 2008 under the name Marvelous Institute of Technical College Incorporated (MITCI). The school was organized through the combined efforts of a group of educators, businessmen and a good number of professionals, with the end view of putting up a school that shall enjoy competitive marketing position. It aims to offer quality educational technical programs with a much reasonable and affordable rate on tuition and other fees that will greatly help accessibility to college education especially to those learners coming from the low-income group. The school is located at M.H Del Pilar Street, Barangay Zone IV, Koronadal City in the province of South Cotabato. MITCI opened its doors with only 405 students from first year to fourth year in different courses. Since its opening, the school dynamic educational environment has continued to evolve.

On March 2008, application for TVET Programs was filed to the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) under the leadership of Mr. Juanito Cueva the former director of TESDA Region XII for Competency-Based courses on Hotel and Restaurant Management, Food and Beverages Services, Building Wiring Installation, Mechanical Technology, Information Technology, Consumer Electronics, and Driving. Subsequently, COPR’s for these courses were issued by TESDA on June 24, 2008.

Moreover, during the first year of its operation the school only offered TESDA courses and Associate courses. But since the school administrator Mr. Agapito D. Lubaton desires his students to become more equipped and globally competitive he decided to tie up the last two years of Hotel and Restaurant Management and Information Technology to Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology (SMIT). Because of this initiative, the first batch of graduates had their baccalaureate degree.

On June, 2008, MITCI started operating with only 405 students from first year to fourth year. On October 2008, twenty nine (29) students graduated in Mechanical Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Information Technology and Driving-Mechanic. At the same year, CHED director Ms. Eloisa Paderanga encourage Mr. Agapito D. Lubaton the school adminisrator to shift the program offering of the institution from TESDA courses to baccalaureate degree courses. Later on,the school amended its Articles of Incorporation for a change of name from Marvelous Institute of Technical College Incorporated (MITCI) to what is now Marvelous College of Technology Incorporated (MCTI) and was granted SEC approval on November 13, 2008.

On the second semester of its operations, the number of enrolled students was 352 students and there were 135 students who graduated on its 1st Commencement Exercises on March, 2009. The first batches of graduates are as follows. In the, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT): Ms. Janly Grace Aspera, Ms. Angelica Cabalse, Ms. Cyrine Mae Francisco, Ms.Nerphe Licos and Ms.Audrey Lywyllyn Uy. On the other hand, the graduates of Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education major in Automotive Technology (BTTE-AT) were Mr. Candelario Faderon, Mr. Jerson Rubrico, Mr. Joey Rubrico and Mr. Arjay Tumbagahan. Lastly, the only graduate of Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education major in Electronics Technology (BTTE-ET) was Mr. Normandy Elisan.

The unflagging loyalty and the continuous support of the personnel, benefactors and friends responded wholeheartedly to augment the school’s limited resources since the institution wanted to develop globally competitive students, during its first year of operation. On SY 2008-2009, MCTI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Region XII, identifying MCTI as Public Employment Satellite Office (PESO) of the Province of South Cotabato and Mr. Agapito D. Lubaton as Employment Consultant for MCTI. Through this MOA, MCTI was able to deploy employment of its graduates in Canada (HRM), Riyadh (Mechanical Technology) and Hanjin Offshore Shipyard in Subic, Zambales (Mechanical Technology). These linkages with industries here and abroad made a considerable impact to MCTI even on its first year of operation.

On SY 2009-2010, MCTI upgraded its human and physical resources to meet the demands of the growing student population. On its second year, MCTI was accredited by TESDA, South Cotabato as Assessment Center in the following trade areas: Building Wiring Installation NC II, Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II, Computer Hardware Servicing NC II, PC Operation NC II, Automotive Servicing NC II, Driving NC II and Food and Beverage Services NC II. Fully aware that SOCSKSARGEN is a rapidly growing region, in June 2009, MTCI gradually increased the number of TVET programs being offered in June 2009. In that same year, the school administration and staff began the rigorous authorization process that would permit the school to offer the highly respected Baccalaureate Diploma Program or CHED 4-years Courses. The courses were BS Information Technology (BSIT), BS Business Administration (BSBA) major in Marketing Management, and Bachelor in Technical Teacher Education (BTTE) major in Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, and Electronic Technology in order to provide responsive and responsible professionals and leaders for the transformation of society. The CHED granted permits it’s for BSIT, BSBA major in Marketing Management and BTTE on May, 2010.

In line with the school’s desire to upgrade the delivery of instruction, curricular offerings had been refined, duties and responsibilities of administrators/key officials had been reviewed, administrative/faculty manuals and student handbook had been drafted, laboratory facilities had been completed and other instructional facilities had been updated. Also, MCTI established linkages and networking with the government and private agencies, to make available scholarship grants for MCTI deserving students like Kabugwason Scholarship (Provincial Government of South Cotabato), PESFA Scholarship (TESDA – South Cotabato), PGS Scholarship (Pangulong Gloria Scholarship through TESDA), Special Program of (Employment of Students (SPES) Scholarship (DOLE – South Cotabato) and ISKO Scholarship Program (City of Koronadal). MCTI continues to make its presence felt in the community and the country as it produces professionals and technically skilled practitioners here and abroad. As a fast growing Technical College, MCTI will continue to serve the youth of South Cotabato and exert all efforts to generate employment to usher great changes in the life of the South Cotabateños with the motto: “Marvelous on the go, sa Trabaho Sigurado.”On SY 2010-2011 MCTI continued to grow as one of the leading private institution in South Cotabato. The management of the school widens its perspectives to achieve the goals of education. Dr. Jose Evangelista PhD was the first College Dean of the institution from year 2010 up to first semester of 2012. He served MCTI with all his heart and become an inspiration to all his students. Another milestone in the life of the school was the grant of programs being offered by the Higher Commission of Education. Two new programs: Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Bachelor of Technical Teachers Education major in Automotive, Electrical and Electronics. MCTI was the pioneer school here in South Cotabato offered the BTTE program.

When the classes opened on June 2010, there were a considerable good number of enrollees who were enrolled in the new programs. There were 152 students in BTTE major in Automotive, 27 students in BTTE major in Electrical, 25 students in BTTE major in electronics and 65 students in Bachelor of Science in hotel and Restaurant Management. In addition, a laboratory for these programs was also constructed to provide quality education and service to the freshmen. Over all, the number of enrolled students of the SY 2010-2011 is 433 students.

On SY 2011-2012 MCTI continued its mission to widen the educational program for the community. One new program was opened. This is the Bachelor of Business Administration major in Marketing Management. There were 18 students enrolled in this new program of the institution. For just only three years of its operation, MCTI shows development especially in its program, facilities, and even to the educational personnel including teachers, technicians, administrator and staff who are responsible in the achievement of the school goals.

MCTI has started and continued to move out from its shell. The institution has now extended its social curriculum to the community where it must serve. The students, teachers, parents and administrators participated in the exposure and outreach programs. The school is dedicated to the formation of young men in personal academic excellence yet with feet firm on Filipino soil and committed to the service of God and country.

The institution also experienced changes of persons occupying key positions. On November 5, 2012 Dr. Cecilia S. Villena PhD assumed the college Dean position replacing Dr. Jose Evangelista. Dr. Villena motivated herself to serve MCTI with all her knowledge and experiences. She is the pioneer of the showcasing activity held every year in the month of February. This activity is in line with the mission of the institution to develop and equip the students with sufficient intellectual and occupational skills to meet the demands of the globally changing environment.

SY 2012-2013 marked another change in the Marvelous College of Technology Incorporated. New programs were granted by the Commission of Higher Education. These new programs offered were Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Bachelor of Arts in English, Filipino, and Mass Communication, Associate in Computer Technology, and Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

When the classes started on June 2012, the number of enrollees from Bachelor of Science in Criminology were 16 students, 5 students from Bachelor of Arts in English, 3 students from BA Filipino, 2 students from Mass communication, 74 students from Associate in Computer Technology and 33 students from Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Overall, there were 133 students enrolled in the new program offered for the SY 2012-2013.

Inspired by their mission to help students to become-equipped and globally competitive, MCTI continued to develop their programs that provide students with great variety of learning opportunities that will benefit them holistically in the future. The succeeding years up to 2016 marks the significant development of the school in terms of infrastructure and physical facilities such as the construction of the covered court and Home Economics building, the renovation of the clinic, school canteen, computer laboratories, faculty office, cashier’s office, library and the installation of Internet.

Considering the adequacy of its manpower and facilities and in response to the demand of time, the school offered another new programs grant by the Commission of Higher Education. The new programs were Bachelor in Agricultural Technology, Bachelor of Technical Teachers Education major in Computer Technology and Food and Services Management, Bachelor of Business Administration major in Financial Management, Bachelor of Science in Office Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology.

Mr. Aidee Vonn D. Lubaton, the son of the school administrator, assumed the presidency of the institution. He started his first year as president of MCTI in the SY 2015-2016. It was an interesting period in the life of the institution as many big events took place in succession. Actions and words stood side by side at MCTI. Barely a year in 2015– 2016, the institution came up to the new chapter of its life – The preparation for the opening of the Senior High School.

Infrastructure priorities started with three initial structures- The Senior High School Building, The relocation of the faculty office and some major offices and services. Indeedi, the institution over a year saw big changes in the infrastructure to serve better its students.

The SY 2017 – 2018 marked another year of significant changes in the milestone of MCTI as the institution strives to attain and sustain excellence and to keep abreast with the changes in the educational landscape. The new Grade School Building constructed in 2016 was occupied on June 5, 2017. The advent of the K -12 Program paved the way for the opening of the Senior High School Department in June 2017. The new building was constructed to address classroom needs of Grades 11 and 12 students while other spaces are for laboratories and offices. Along with that, MCTI offered the following tracks: Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Accounting and Business Management (ABM), General Academic Strand (GAS), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Technical, Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) that include Industrial Arts, Home Economic and Agri-Fisheries. During its first year of implementation, the SHS have 147 students enrolled. Mrs. Nida D. Lubaton became the SHS principal. She dedicated herself to face the new challenges in the educational system and guide every student in the SHS to become better professionals in the future.

The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) accredited once again the institution to offer different vocational and skills courses. These are the CHS, ATS NC II, EIM NC II, CES NC II, Driving NC II, SMAW NC II, FBS NC II, Cookery NC II, Barista NC II, Beauty care NC II, Food Processing NC II, Carpentry NC II, Dress making NC II. These would help and enhance the students to acquire learning and skills essential in responding to industry needs and better quality of life to all the graduates.

Moreover, technology was improved by having the entire school computer system upgraded to make data and information fast and accessible in every school office. The current wave of highly advanced technological equipment and computerization programs also opened for Accounting Technology. Inc. line with its Continuing Education Program for Professionals, MCTI has not only provided support by sending personnel and faculty to trainings, workshops and seminars. It has even extended support for masters and doctoral studies through scholarship grants. The grants cover tuition and miscellaneous fees, board and lodging as well as book and travel allowances. It was also on the term of Mr. Lubaton as school Administrator that marked the increase of the salary and benefits of the faculty and personnel of the school.

In SY 2018-2019, the school was continuously growing. Another milestone happened in the journey of MCTI when the government established UniFast to support the education of every Filipinos here in our country and subsidized the school needs of the students. The Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act, or UniFAST — also known as Republic Act No. 10687 — was signed into law in 15 October 2016.

UniFast reconciles, improves, strengthens, expands, and puts under one body all government-funded modalities of Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs) for tertiary education – and special purpose education assistance – in both public and private institutions. These modalities include scholarships, grants-in-aid, student loans and other specialized forms of StuFAPs formulated by the UniFAST Board.

This significant event doubled the number of students enrolled in the institution in the SY 2018-2019. When the classes started last June 2018, the total number of students enrolled was 1,395 including the Senior High School Department. It was a great year for the institution as the school striving for quality education for the students. The laboratories and other physical facilities underwent renovation to cater the needs of the students. Another four buildings was constructed at SHS Department and was occupied on June 2018. On the month of January 2019, the Marvelous Farm was registered as one of the Training site in Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Recognizing the importance of technology in this modern age, the school administrator has embarked into a journey towards technological advancement. At the start of S.Y. 2018-2019, the upgrading of the school management system commence to ensure effective and efficient services and innovation in instruction through technological integration for transformative learning. At the end of SY 2018-2019, the first batch of UniFast grantee received their financial assistance on the first week of April 2019.

In the SY 2019-2020,same as the other growing institutions, MCTI also faced controversy because of the UniFast or The Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act. However, despite of that issue and controversy, MCTI continued to soar high. It was shown when the classes started on June 2019. The number of enrollees increased from 1,395 students to 1,500 students. The total number of students enrolled in SY 2019-2020 was evidence that MCTI is one the leading institution in South Cotabato in terms of giving quality education and technical programs with many reasonable and affordable rates on tuition and other fees that will greatly help accessibility to college education especially those coming from the low-income group.

On the second semester of its operation, in the month of January 2020 our country faced the biggest challenge in the entire human race-The corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge human races have faced since World War Two. Since its emergence in Asia late last year, the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. Cases are rising daily in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Because of this, all schools in South Cotabato including public and private had been in temporary lockdown until further notice coming from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of South Cotabato.

On March 2020 Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. signed Executive Order No. 18 series of 2020 , “ An Order Declaring and Placing the Entire Province of South Cotabato Under Enhanced Community Quarantine and Calibrated Total Lockdown,”. With this order, MCTI decided to stop its operation because of this CoVid-19 pandemic. The school was not able to conduct its final examination and commencement exercises. All the students were advised to stay at their home to stop increasing the cases of the Corona Virus. But they were also advised to finish all their requirements at home and wait for further notice coming from our Governor, City Mayor and School Administrator on until when they will be returning to go back at school as safety is one of the priorities of MCTI. It was a challenging year in the life of the Institution, but the increasing number of its students and the construction and renovation of its infrastructure surely an evidence that MCTI is rapidly growing in SOCKSARGEN.

MCTI has been producing quality graduates who were among the ranks of cum laudes and academic scholars in their tertiary education. It takes pride to see its graduates moving forward, standing tall among others and excelling in the bigger world. A great number of students also are sent to different trainings and competitions, enhancing their potentials to become well rounded, globally competitive individuals.

Indeed, MCTI has never stopped growing. It has not only withstood the test of time but also has become better through the aid of time for its history is reflective of its ardent desire to keep pace with the changing times, to serve the needs of the community and play an active role in its development.